Oscar-winning actor and director Richard Attenborough dies aged 90

Richard Attenborough, the actor, director and the older brother of nature broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, has died at the age of 90.

Lord Attenborough passed away on Sunday afternoon, days before his 91st birthday.

He kicked off a flourishing film career that spanned six decades when he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (Rada) in 1940. PHOTOS FOR FULL GALLERY

Great British actor and director Richard Attenborough died on Sunday

He went on to star in films including Brighton Rock and World War Two thriller The Great Escape, before he became an acclaimed film director.

His masterpiece Gandhi won a grand total of eight Oscars in 1983 – a record for a British film – including best film and best director.

After news of the actor and director”s death was announced on Sunday evening, tributes flooded in from the world of cinema, and beyond.

Richard Attenborough became good friends with Diana, Princess of Wales, after he helped her write speeches

David Cameron called Richard “one of the greats of cinema”.

The Prime Minister tweeted: “His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant, his directing of Gandhi was stunning – Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema.”

Mia Farrow also paid her respects via the social media website: “Richard Attenborough was the kindest man I have ever had the privilege of working with. A Prince. RIP “Pa” – and thank you.”

Richard Attenborough died aged 90 on Sunday

Sir Roger Moore, an old friend of the star, said he was “greatly saddened” by the news, and that Richard was “such a wonderful and talented man”.

Ricky Gervais called him “one of the true greats of the silver screen”, while Sir Ben Kingsley, 70, who won a coveted best actor Oscar for playing Gandhi, said: “He placed in me an absolute trust and in turn I placed an absolute trust in him and grew to love him. I along with millions of others whom he touched through his life and work will miss him dearly.”

Richard Attenborough pictured with Gerry Halliwell

Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg said: “He made a gift to the world with his emotional epic Gandhi and he was the perfect ringmaster to bring the dinosaurs back to life as John Hammond in Jurassic Park.”

He added, “He was a dear friend and I am standing in an endless line of those who completely adored him.”